RCCL Pricing Advice

[TheTruthCanHurt]

Ok,

So.. I have sailed many many times on Royal.. Typically I pride myself on getting very good deals, and in most cases I book within 120 days of the sailing ( mostly due to my schedule conflicts)

 

That being said. lately, I just cant wrap my head around how they are doing their pricing. What I am wondering is if anyone has seen any type of pattern.

 

For example.. Southwest airlines is usually cheaper around 4 am.( dont know why, but I fly once a week and that is a pattern I have found to be true)

 

I know their has been mention of "holding the price and not lowering, except maybe the 4 days sailings) but.....

 

Yesterday the independence of the seas for dec 5th, 2015 was about 20% cheaper than it is today?

 

I know they have these "mysterious 48 hour weekend sales" and the GREAT BOGO HOAX and then tuesdays they usually have specials... so do they raise the price on monday only to lower it on tuesday?

 

anyone have any tips ( and I am not talking about the "book 2 years out" tips. I mean has anyone found a pattern in price fluctuation that seems to be true?

 

ps... I know I can book to hold the room and adjust accordingly until final payment. but why hold it at all if I would never pay that much....

 

thoughts, comments? help? I am just getting a bit frustrated with the business model. thanks

Edited August 10, 2015 by TheTruthCanHurt

[PSU]

There is no magic formula. It is just supply and demand. They might discount a stateroom class if it isn't selling. Or cruises in shoulder seasons might be cheaper (March April and beginning of Nov.)

[TheTruthCanHurt]

There is no magic formula. It is just supply and demand. They might discount a stateroom class if it isn't selling. Or cruises in shoulder seasons might be cheaper (March April and beginning of Nov.)

 

 

I understand the supply and demand thing.. but cant figure the math out.... cheaper on Sunday more expensive on Monday. on sale on Tuesday? it seems like a little more "of an algorithm than just straight supply and demand)

 

just wondering if anyone had noticed anything.

[cruisinfanatic]

Ok,

So.. I have sailed many many times on Royal.. Typically I pride myself on getting very good deals, and in most cases I book within 120 days of the sailing ( mostly due to my schedule conflicts)

 

That being said. lately, I just cant wrap my head around how they are doing their pricing. What I am wondering is if anyone has seen any type of pattern.

 

For example.. Southwest airlines is usually cheaper around 4 am.( dont know why, but I fly once a week and that is a pattern I have found to be true)

 

I know their has been mention of "holding the price and not lowering, except maybe the 4 days sailings) but.....

 

Yesterday the independence of the seas for dec 5th, 2015 was about 20% cheaper than it is today?

 

I know they have these "mysterious 48 hour weekend sales" and the GREAT BOGO HOAX and then tuesdays they usually have specials... so do they raise the price on monday only to lower it on tuesday?

 

anyone have any tips ( and I am not talking about the "book 2 years out" tips. I mean has anyone found a pattern in price fluctuation that seems to be true?

 

ps... I know I can book to hold the room and adjust accordingly until final payment. but why hold it at all if I would never pay that much....

 

thoughts, comments? help? I am just getting a bit frustrated with the business model. thanks

I've been finding the cruise prices are often best a year or more away rather that closer like it used to be.

Any particular day is best for booking Southwest?

Edited August 10, 2015 by SeaUs

[molly361]

I understand the supply and demand thing.. but cant figure the math out.... cheaper on Sunday more expensive on Monday. on sale on Tuesday? it seems like a little more "of an algorithm than just straight supply and demand)

 

just wondering if anyone had noticed anything.

 

There are no set days that are any better than the others

[orville99]

The rationality of the price is directly correlated to the intensity of your meds. It is best to medicate heavily prior to attempting to decipher RCL's pricing algorithms :)

[molly361]

The rationality of the price is directly correlated to the intensity of your meds. It is best to medicate heavily prior to attempting to decipher RCL's pricing algorithms :)

 

That's for sure!!!

 

Although I remember fondly back in the day when there would sometimes be flash weekend sales. Oh the good old days:rolleyes:

[TheTruthCanHurt]

I too remember the flash sales. and thats why I think this weekend was the "48 hour" or whatever the current deal is.

 

just so frustrating trying to book these days.... ughhhh

[teecee60]

Imagine a two dimensional, X/Y graph with the origin at the lower left.

 

The vertical axis is "number of cabins," the horizontal axis is "days until departure."

 

Draw a line from lower left (NO cabins booked at itinerary rollout) to upper right. (ALL cabins booked at sail away)

 

As long as the actual number of cabins booked is on or above that line, they are running ahead of schedule in the bookings process and there will be no deals. If bookings move significantly above that line advertised prices will rise. (or upgrades will be offered to free up some of those "sold out" cabins)

 

If the actual number of cabins booked starts to fall much below that line, perks will be offered, prices will fall, or both... to get back on track.

 

Each cabin type, on each ship, on each itinerary, has its own graph in some magical master computer which spits out new prices whenever there are changes in the slope of all those lines. ;)

 

Close to departure, I have seen cabin prices change two or three times in a single day when there are only a few cabins left.

Edited August 10, 2015 by teecee60

[bigeagle12]

Their new policy is smoke and mirrors. These stupid BOGOHO sales are the craziest thing yet.

 

We booked our upcoming New Year's cruise last September right after these BOGOHO sales started and actually got a great deal. With all the new offers since I keep checking the prices and they are consistently 60 to 90 percent more.

[Big_G]

It's a time over money formula. I can't waste my valuable time searching for patterns when I could be searching for the ship and itinerary I want. Once that's accomplished, I do look for the lower price by week but that doesn't mean I got the best price. Therefore, my time is more important than the money.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[kalliekae]

It's crazy! However, the best deal I've seen so far was last June. I think it was the 30% off sale?? I remember the RC rep telling me that would be their best sale of the year. Of course, she could have just been saying that, too.

[TheTruthCanHurt]

It's a time over money formula. I can't waste my valuable time searching for patterns when I could be searching for the ship and itinerary I want. Once that's accomplished, I do look for the lower price by week but that doesn't mean I got the best price. Therefore, my time is more important than the money.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

I too value my time. However, the rates seem to fluctuate so drastically that I simply wont pay xxxx amount for a sailing... Mind you... I dont book the cheapest inside room. I will with rare exception only book an ocean view balcony or above. Just was wanting a little insight on what people have noticed or what they do in terms of pricing strategy. For example you say you cant waste your time looking for a good deal.. so you just book it and then check the price every week??? Isn't that the same thing?

[TheTruthCanHurt]

Their new policy is smoke and mirrors. These stupid BOGOHO sales are the craziest thing yet.

 

We booked our upcoming New Year's cruise last September right after these BOGOHO sales started and actually got a great deal. With all the new offers since I keep checking the prices and they are consistently 60 to 90 percent more.

 

 

and see. thats part of the challenge for me. It used to be that there was always a sweet spot. I simply cant book 2 years in advance.. I would have to cancel as my schedule fluctuates soo much. So I am just trying to make sense of all of the new stuff, where it certainly seems to be true that booking immediately after the sailings are released is the best deal.

[HiCSailor]

It's crazy! However, the best deal I've seen so far was last June. I think it was the 30% off sale?? I remember the RC rep telling me that would be their best sale of the year. Of course, she could have just been saying that, too.

I bought my first cruise in late May 2014. That sale was apparently legendary and the last of the good pricing on RCI. I wonder if it was a mistake that cost someone their job.

 

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[HiCSailor]

and see. thats part of the challenge for me. It used to be that there was always a sweet spot. I simply cant book 2 years in advance.. I would have to cancel as my schedule fluctuates soo much. So I am just trying to make sense of all of the new stuff, where it certainly seems to be true that booking immediately after the sailings are released is the best deal.

I just booked three onboard and intend to sail the closest one and use the the other two when I see great deals pop up.

 

Couldn't you book and adjust as your schedule demanded or, like me, book several options onboard and only keep the booking that works? My total deposit for the three bookings was $450, which was matched in OBC.

 

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[angelofsin]

Ok,

So.. I have sailed many many times on Royal.. Typically I pride myself on getting very good deals, and in most cases I book within 120 days of the sailing ( mostly due to my schedule conflicts)

 

That being said. lately, I just cant wrap my head around how they are doing their pricing. What I am wondering is if anyone has seen any type of pattern.

 

For example.. Southwest airlines is usually cheaper around 4 am.( dont know why, but I fly once a week and that is a pattern I have found to be true)

 

I know their has been mention of "holding the price and not lowering, except maybe the 4 days sailings) but.....

 

Yesterday the independence of the seas for dec 5th, 2015 was about 20% cheaper than it is today?

 

I know they have these "mysterious 48 hour weekend sales" and the GREAT BOGO HOAX and then tuesdays they usually have specials... so do they raise the price on monday only to lower it on tuesday?

 

anyone have any tips ( and I am not talking about the "book 2 years out" tips. I mean has anyone found a pattern in price fluctuation that seems to be true?

 

ps... I know I can book to hold the room and adjust accordingly until final payment. but why hold it at all if I would never pay that much....

 

thoughts, comments? help? I am just getting a bit frustrated with the business model. thanks

 

 

While I typically agree that every algorithm shows its pattern eventually I have not seen anything that would indicate that this new pricing algorithm has shown its stripes. if you luck up on something please comeback and report to the rest of us in a secret way so that royal won't know that we are on to them..

[John&LaLa]

I just booked three onboard and intend to sail the closest one and use the the other two when I see great deals pop up.

 

Couldn't you book and adjust as your schedule demanded or, like me, book several options onboard and only keep the booking that works? My total deposit for the three bookings was $450, which was matched in OBC.

 

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

 

Not a big fan of booking multiple and cancelling. One of these days deposits are going to be non refundable if we keep this up

[BamaGuy44]

Of course there are algorithms involved. But I don't think you'll find any cut and dry patterns like "cheaper on Mondays". People have tried, believe me. You could go nuts trying to time it.

 

Best thing to do is find a sailing you like, and book if you feel the price is fair and reasonable. Then if it goes down that's just a bonus.

 

I don't even bother to look if they have some promotion going on. I know what I feel is fair for a certain cabin for a certain itinerary. If I can get it for that price or less I book. If not, I wait. I do keep an eye on the prices after that, but it's done for me automatically.

[bigeagle12]

and see. thats part of the challenge for me. It used to be that there was always a sweet spot. I simply cant book 2 years in advance.. I would have to cancel as my schedule fluctuates soo much. So I am just trying to make sense of all of the new stuff, where it certainly seems to be true that booking immediately after the sailings are released is the best deal.

 

 

We either book way in advance or last minute.

 

We are sailing the end of October with friends for a week. We are waiting until October to book. We can drive to any port in Florida and don't care what cruise line .. but will be selective about which ship.

[TheTruthCanHurt]

I just booked three onboard and intend to sail the closest one and use the the other two when I see great deals pop up.

 

Couldn't you book and adjust as your schedule demanded or, like me, book several options onboard and only keep the booking that works? My total deposit for the three bookings was $450, which was matched in OBC.

 

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

 

 

I could probably roll the dice and book multiple.. just not a big fan of it. And like I said.. my schedule changes so much ( and the number of people I sail with also changes) so it's not always just me making the decision. To be honest 75% of the time, I get free cruises from the casino, but I always go with groups and that leads us to getting multiple cabins.....

 

For example... on the dec 5th sailing I mentioned My room is free, but we are looking for two more balconies so we can have 3 rooms side by side. ultimately I just throw my free room into the pot and we just split the total by however many people or rooms we have.

[Big_G]

I too value my time. However, the rates seem to fluctuate so drastically that I simply wont pay xxxx amount for a sailing... Mind you... I dont book the cheapest inside room. I will with rare exception only book an ocean view balcony or above. Just was wanting a little insight on what people have noticed or what they do in terms of pricing strategy. For example you say you cant waste your time looking for a good deal.. so you just book it and then check the price every week??? Isn't that the same thing?

 

I hope you don't think I was criticizing you and what I meant was, once I find the the ship and itinerary, I choose the week based on the price. I don't take the time examine any patterns. I occasionally check the price for drops but as a whole, once I've booked, I'm done.

[John&LaLa]

I hope you don't think I was criticizing you and what I meant was, once I find the the ship and itinerary, I choose the week based on the price. I don't take the time examine any patterns. I occasionally check the price for drops but as a whole, once I've booked, I'm done.

 

I've never cancelled a cruise either. But Royal had cancelled on us. :mad:

[RCmommy]

This is our first time cruising with RCI and we booked about two weeks ago for this December. We were interested in an inside cabin and was quote $3298 Canadian. Then the rep says hold on let me check something. Next thing I know he has us two cabins with Central Park view for $3000 combined. We booked them! There are four of us. Later that day, our friends decided to go on the same cruise with us and called. They could get an inside cabin for the three of them for 3300 CAD.

 

I had to call yesterday to check something and casually chatted with the gentleman about how we can get two cabins with a view for four people for less than three in an inside cabin. He did give me the supply and demand comment, but said that it could be that the Central Park view class of cabins are not selling at the moment so it is reflected in the price.

 

All I know is that when looking at RCI prices compared to the same variations in cabins with Carnival and NCL left me puzzled.

 

Either way, we are excited to be cruising with them but if someone figures out the pricing I would love to hear it!

[Amy5000]

I know they have these "mysterious 48 hour weekend sales" and the GREAT BOGO HOAX and then tuesdays they usually have specials... so do they raise the price on monday only to lower it on tuesday?

 

I'm curious: what was the hoax? It didn't apply to my sailing, but I assumed it apply to some sailing?